The Virginia Voter Express Issue No
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In This Issue: View this email in your browser Information for Vietnamese Voters The Virginia Voter Express Issue No. 16-27 (NVA) November 3, 2016 Information for Vietnamese Americans Voting in This Election Do you know, or have friends who know, of any Vietnamese Americans who are eligible to vote in the upcoming election? They may be having difficulties understanding the process amid all the hype from the candidates. Genie Ngoc Le, of the "Voice of American Vietnamese Americans" has asked us to please circulate this article to Vietnamese Americans during this last week. It provides critical information that would help undecided Vietnamese Americans to make the best choice. Since it is written in Vietnamese, voters need to be referred to our website to find the article. Click Here to access the information to hand out or the following URL can be pasted into one’s browser < http://lwv- va.org/files/voterserv_2016_11_03_vietnameseltr_page.pdf > 0The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. Copyright © 2016 League of Women Voters of Virginia|*, All rights reserved. In This Issue: View this email in your browser Please send this to all your friends and neighbors. The Virginia Voter Express Issue No. 16-27 November 6, 2016 Every Vote Counts. Period. It’s time to make a plan to vote at the polls this Tuesday, November 8th. This year's election will be the first in over 50 years without the full protection of the Voting Rights Act. Despite countless attempts to suppress voter turnout, people across Virginia are more motivated than ever to get to the polls -- to vote for racial justice, for immigration reform, for quality public schools and lowering student debt. The following information echoes a recent newsletter from the New Virginia Majority that we want to pass on. They are urging us to make a plan to ensure our voices are heard on all these issues. Are you ready to play your role in our democracy and exercise your right to vote? Here are some tips to help you prepare for this important and historic Election Day. Do you have a plan? Double check the weather. Be prepared for long lines! Do you have a valid photo ID? Virginia law now requires all voters to show an acceptable form of photo ID at the polls. You can apply for a FREE voter photo ID card at any voter registration office throughout the year, even on Election Day. Do you know what’s on your ballot? Knowing who and what you’re voting for before you get to the polls empowers you to make informed decisions for yourself and your community. Click here to find out what’s on your ballot in Virginia. Have Questions? Call Election Protection Hotlines: English: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) Asian languages: 1-888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. Your future is in your hands. See you at the polls on Tuesday, November 8, 2016! With Thanks to The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. Copyright © 2016 League of Women Voters of Virginia|*, All rights reserved. In This Issue: View this email in your browser Keep the Good Work Going. The Virginia Voter Express Issue No. 16-28 November 12, 2016 The Struggle Continues The long exhausting election cycle has finally ended, but the challenges continue, more intense than ever. The League of Women Voters of Virginia is proud of the stalwart defense of voting rights that we have helped advance during this election season Leaguers all over the state spent hours helping people register to vote—at schools, farmers markets, naturalization ceremonies, grocery stores-- we encouraged them to vote online, we supported the extension of the registration period when process broke down. Starting back at the time of the primary, we found dozens of ways to send out information about voting times and places and voting regulations. We took part in a law suit to stop the purging of voters illegally. We set up local issue forums and candidate debates and meetings so as to accomplish our core mission of having voters be informed. We think we can count on legislation being proposed during the next General Assembly that will try to limit access to the vote. The fight to end gerrymandering will be reaching a critical stage. We have seen what has happened to voters in North Carolina, just across the border. We all must remain vigilant during this next legislative cycle. The League’s efforts to protect the vote has been going on for 96 years; we have had a lot of experience!! If you are as determined as we are to keep fighting for our long-held mission, give us even a small amount now so that we can keep operating. Thank you, Lois Page, Dianne Blais, Co-Presidents League of Women Voters of Virginia Click Here to Donate. You may also copy and paste the following URL into your browser: < http://lwv- va.org/donate1.html > The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. Copyright © 2016 League of Women Voters of Virginia|*, All rights reserved. In This Issue: View this email in your browser Pre-Session Deadline is November 30 Abingdon League Hosts "Talk Backs" Why Should DC Become a State? The Virginia Voter Express Issue No. 16-30 November 24, 2016 The LWV-VA Board of Directors wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. WLRT Pre-Session Registration Deadline is November 30 Plans for this year’s Women’s Legislative Round Table have been finalized and the deadline for registration is upon us. If you haven’t already signed up for the luncheon, do so right away so you don’t miss sharing a meal with fellow civic activists and League friends on Dec. 7 in Richmond. Edgardo Cortes, Commissioner of the Department of Elections, will be the Keynote speaker at the luncheon. The following groups have signed up for the morning presentations. Ric Brown Virginia Secretary of Finance Molly Ward Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Kenneth Gilliam Commonwealth Institute of Fiscal Analysis’ HAV Care Claire Guthrie-Gastanaga ACLU Edgar Aranda-Yanoc VA Coalition of Latino Organizations Brian Cannon OneVirginia2021 Megan Rhyne Virginia Coalition for Open Government (VCOG) Janice Craft-Henry, Women’s Equality Coalition Leslie Tourigny AAUW Candace Graham WomenMatter/ERA Kristine Hall VA Sexual and Domestic Violence Alliance Amy Woolard JustChildren, Legal Aid Justice Center Mira Signer National Alliance on Mental Illness of Virginia Andy Goddard Virginia Center for Public Safety (VACPS) James Parrish Equality Virginia Tram Nguyen Election Laws/Voter Protection For more information or to register, Click Here or paste the following URL in your browser. http://www.lwv-va.org/files/wlrt_2016_10_20_registform.pdf Abingdon League Hosts "Talk Backs" Washington County League of Women Voters provided panelists for “Talk Backs” following October productions of Abingdon’s Barter Theater productions of “Winter Wheat,” by Catherine Bush. It is a musical about the vote by a Tennessee legislator that allowed the 19th Amendment to be implemented. Leaguers took the opportunity to talk about the League’s crucial role immediately following the granting of suffrage to women with their plan, still in place after 96 years, of educating and empowering all voters. Virginia State Board Co-President Lois Page, and Communications Director Ron Page were guests of Washington County President Merry Jennings for the Oct. 29 production. Lois had the opportunity to serve as a panelist and welcomed the chance to talk about the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial. They also explored with the play producers the idea of putting on the play in the northern Virginia area. Panel members (l-r) Page, Jennings and Bush, answer questions and discuss the moral message of the production. Why Should D.C. Become a State? Discuss! Representatives from the State Board, Fairfax, Prince William and Arlington Leagues recently met with D.C Leaguers to discuss their upcoming push for statehood which has been energized by the recent overwhelming vote in favor by D.C residents and the acceptance of a state Constitution. State Board Co-Presidents Lois Page and Dianne Blais urge local Leagues to consider putting on a program or discussion session using some of the materials suggested on the LWVUS website. Statehood for D.C. is an LWV priority. D.C. President Linda Beebe writes: "Here is the link to the materials now on the LWV Management Site that will be useful in providing discussion information." http://forum.lwv.org/category/member-resources/our-work/voter-protection Unfortunately, not everything is there yet, and we are hoping to package it in a different way. Right now you will find the following materials: Background Papers We are DC The Rights of DC Citizens Are in Your Hands How Does the World View Violations of Equal Participation for DC Citizens? The Changing Face of DC Governance Over Time Frequently Asked Questions About Statehood for the People of DC How the District of Columbia is Governed in 2016 Congressional Intervention in District of Columbia Local Affairs League of Women Voters Efforts to Achieve Full Voting Rights for the People of DC The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.